In the purest sense, menswear-inspired style means the subversion of classically masculine pieces into something made for her: double-breasted blazers nipped into a style that's friendly to the female form or tailored trousers done in silk gabardine at a length that pairs with stilettos, not wingtips. The strong lines associated with menswear will forever influence how women approach style, a fact clearly seen in Chanel's new range of sophisticated BOY•FRIEND watches. While inspired by male timepieces, gorgeous details and dainty faces are undeniably meant for the more slender female wrist.
Chanel BOY•FRIEND Medium Watch, $4,150, chanel.com; Chanel shirt
Menswear inspiration has morphed into something new, too, thanks to an evolving definition of gender as something fluid and non-binary. Gender-neutral collections and ranges are commonplace, so lovers needn't only pass sartorial inspiration from him to her (or her to her, or him to him), but can actually swap pieces. The modern face of this masculine-feminine feel is perfectly brought to life by real-life, downtown-cool couple Paige Reifler and Aris Schwabe. The model and DJ pair not only have shared sensibilities when it comes to how they dress, but have each put their own unique spin on the same piece at different times.
Chanel BOY•FRIEND Medium Watch in Beige Gold, $12,500, chanel.com; Chanel tweed jacket
Reifler loves to steal Schwabe's perfectly worn-in basics. "He can fit all the clothes he owns in a bag. Everything feels so worn because it is so worn—he wears the same thing all the time, ever since I've met him," Reifler says. "He wears his T-shirts in so much that they're like vintage tees. They've got character."
Chanel BOY•FRIEND Large Watch, $14,500, chanel.com; Chanel Fine Jewelry Coco Crush Ring, $3,250, chanel.com; Chanel Fine Jewelry Deux Étoiles Ring, $8,100, chanel.com; Chanel skirt
The key to incorporated "borrowed from the boys" pieces into your wardrobe is balance. While it often comes down to mixing silhouettes—like a cozy, soft, oversized knit sweater offset with a tough leather miniskirt—small touches can also pack a powerful punch. The BOY•FRIEND watch might find some of its DNA rooted inmenswear, but the overall vibe speaks to the mixture of strength and beauty found in women. The timepiece is an easy way for Reifler to put her own stamp on Schwabe's clothes, especially since she's wont to double up. "I never feel like I have to pair menswear-inspired pieces with something sexy. It doesn't go hand-in-hand like that. I think it's sometimes cooler to wear boyfriend jeans with a white button-down. The whole thing."
Chanel BOY•FRIEND Tweed Watch, $4,950, chanel.com; Chanel Fine Jewelry Coco Crush Ring, $3,250, chanel.com; Chanel leather jacket and skirt; Chanel boots
The easiest way to borrow from the boys is to focus on outerwear, topping a dress or separates with a masculine piece that provides an oversize finish. The boxy denim jacket Reifler pulled on actually belongs to her DJ boyfriend—and frequently goes missing. "When it's shitty out she'll wear my jacket over her clothes, especially this denim jacket I made awhile ago. She was actually wearing it earlier today when it was raining," Schwabe said. As it happened, the weather turned out to be a sartorial blessing since the jacket, which Reifler wore to the set to combat gray skies, fit nicely over the sleek patent leather Chanel skirt and jacket she tried on.
The trick works well to make sexy cocktail dresses feel less formal too. When layering a midnight-blue tux jacket over a decidedly feminine strapless LBD, Reifler rolled and pushed the sleeves. Minimizing some of the bulk is important for making the silhouette work and has the added benefit of showing off jewelry and a luxe watch. While the clean lines echo a style you might find on Schwabe's side of the bed, the high-shine silver band and delicate construction make it clear that it was created with a woman in mind.
Chanel BOY•FRIEND Tweed Watch with Diamonds, $8,250, chanel.com; Chanel dress
